trigger warning: fluff overload, you've been warned. Translations at the bottom.

"hey, bitch, you missed my birth"

—

ELIJAH gazed down at Eden as she slept. Her hair was sprawled against his chest and the bed, mouth slightly open in sleep, murmurs leaving her lips every few minutes.

Words and thoughts he wished he could make sense of but were too warped by sleep to truly understand.

Gods above, she was beautiful.

His hand trailed down her back, the bottom of her shirt barely lifted, revealing soft skin underneath.

Gods above, she was soft.

Soft, beautiful, impervious to fault. She was a gift he'd never tire from; and one from which he was entirely undeserving.

Not a day had passed since seeing her in that dreadful house Rose Marie had chosen where he hadn't thanked the gods for her. Thanked them for blessing him with such pure, unbiased, unabashed love.

Created by sunlight, bathed in stardust and magic, she was truly hand-crafted by those who were more powerful than he.

Elijah had stopped believing in Gods — though his original faith was that closely aligned with Norse Mythology — but after meeting her, he'd realized what a fool he'd been.

For he would gladly attend mass — if he didn't burn the entrance with the sins he'd committed — and pray each night if it meant he could be in her life.

His Eden.

Eden.

Such an apt name for such an exquisite creature. Literally meaning paradise; or place of pleasure. If he'd never been happy a day in his life, it was all worth it to end up with her.

Vampirism and immortality didn't falter him when she smiled at him. He'd had a fair share of women, some of which took a piece of him in their deaths, and some for which he no longer recalled a name.

But Eden?

A soft smile tugged at his lips as she whined in her sleep, cuddling closer and burying her face further into his chest.

Perhaps in his human death, he was sentenced to a thousand years of purgatory, his crimes slowly chaining him to Hell. And in meeting Eden, his soul was cleansed, birthed anew in a blinding light.

He was free to peruse the Heavens, for she was the Heavens. She was his salvation, his ticket from damnation, his first breath of air in a thousand years.

Elijah never thought he'd find a soulmate. He thought they were fictitious and fanciful, only believing in a Valinn because of his brother's sheer determination.

But a soulmate?

Someone who could truly understand and defend you with nothing to gain but a glimpse into your heart? Who would shelter you from harm and pull you from murky depths and ail your wounds with chaste kisses and soft words?

A fool's hope, he'd thought.

Gods above, he'd been the fool.

For this was the proof. The undeniable, tangible, incredible proof that a soulmate existed.

His Eden.

Fresh from a war with bloodied hands and sword in the shape of a wand. She was a warrior fresh from battle, bearing the strength and resilience of any Viking he'd ever known. She continued to fight each day since he'd met her.

For her family, in a ferocity that he'd only ever seen in his own family, and with a love that could calm even the darkest creatures. Each day as he grew to know his Eden, he was shown more and more of the Heavens in which she created.

Her laugh quieted his fears, his anguish. She made him forget his tribulations and hesitations and made him want to toss caution to the wind and be young again. She made him forget his family, or at least ease the pain their deaths caused.

Eden brought life to a man who had become a shell of it.

And looking down at her sleeping figure, he tightened his grip, vowing to spend eternity ensuring she would be as happy as she made him.

Gods, above, he loved her.

—

Eden awoke with the sun the next day, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Time is it?" She mumbled, sitting up.

"Quarter 'till five," Elijah responded softly, running a hand along her back. "Good morning, Elskan. I'll assume you slept well?"

Eden nodded. "Yeah, thanks," she confirmed, pressing a kiss to his shoulder and climbing out of bed, laughing when she tripped over the blanket on her way out. "You hungry?" She called back to him as she grabbed her toothbrush from the bathroom.

"I had a dream about you last night," she said, placing the toothbrush in her mouth. "You were 'unnin' and 'umpin' and I 'aid 'at?' and 'ou were—"

"—Tell me once you've finished, darling," Elijah cut her off with an amused smile. "Niklaus says he'll come by in a few hours. He has to force Stefan into the car, his words, not mine."

They both shared an eye roll.

"Harry sent a patronus," his smile softened, "Ginny's had their son. We can floo if you'd like to see them. He said the Weasley's are all there, I don't have to go with you if you don't—"

"—Please come with me," Eden blurted, wiping her mouth after spitting. "Please, if you—if you want to come, I mean."

Elijah nodded, standing and walking over to her. "I'd love that. We'll leave as soon as you're dressed." He pressed a soft kiss to her head. "Give me ten minutes."

Eden smiled after he left, feeling more well-rested than she had in months, a giddy feeling in her chest threatening to burst her heart in two. She couldn't decipher her own happiness between her and Elijah's — and wasn't sure, yet, how the connection worked with Klaus, either — but she was grateful for the contentment that so often couldn't find her.

Eden dressed quickly; a simple t-shirt and jeans, and one of Fred's old jackets.

It didn't feel strange to wear it anymore. And she knew George would appreciate seeing it again. It felt good to bring him with her. Like he was starting this new chapter not only with her, but Ginny and Harry, too.

Smiling faintly, she fiddled with a galleon in the pocket. His lucky galleon. Oh, Fred.

She tucked it away and grabbed her fanny pack, strapping it around her waist and letting out a small laugh to herself. She looked so cool.

"Ready, darling?" Elijah asked from the door, tapping on the frame twice.

Eden nodded, then let out another laugh. "We look complete opposites," she beamed up at him, walking over and kissing him softly. "You in your fancy suit worth more than all of Mystic Falls, and me in my hand-me down jacket and fanny pack."

Elijah grinned against her lips, matching the tenderness of the kiss. "You're perfect for me," he responded, pulling away and kissing her forehead. "I'll go after you," he suggested as they headed to the fireplace. "I sincerely doubt anyone but Harry and Ginny would apprecaite a strangely suited man appearing in the wing."

"True enough," Eden nodded. "Sixth floor, we can floo to the waiting area, find their room."

Elijah nodded, giving her another kiss as she gathered the floo powder.

"Oh," she added as she stepped in. "Prepare yourself. The Weasley's are...a lot." She offered a sympathetic smile before calling out her chosen destination and the familiar tug tore her away.

Eden always hated to floo, or apparate, or fly, for that matter. She preferred two feet on the ground nearly all times. Time away from the floo and magic in general, didn't ease the stretching and pulling of her skin that occurred each time she used it.

Then she was fine, stumbling out of the fireplace, catching herself on the handrail designed for exactly that purpose.

A moment later, Elijah walked out, seemingly unbothered. He brushed a bit of soot from his shoulder.

"Are you alright, Elksan?"

"How do you do that?" Eden pouted, looking up at him. "It's unfair. You need to be less perfect. Making me look bad."

Elijah smiled, and cupped her chin. "Nothing in this universe could make you look bad, sweet girl." He pressed a brief kiss to her nose and pulled away, allowing her to slip her hand into his as they walked to reception.

"Hello, I'm—"

"—Eden Sommers!"

Eden let out a small groan, glancing behind her and spotting Rita Skeeter, charmed quill and all.

Despite being sentenced to Azkaban — which Hermione and Harry were still in the process of reforming for more humane rights — she was released on probation, and then fired from the Daily Prophet.

That didn't stop her from creating her own news outlet; Skeeter's Scoop, where she and her avid readers took every opportunity to squander Eden and her friends.

"Rita Skeeter," Eden said flatly. "If you don't mind, there's no comments at this time, I'm quite busy."

She turned back to the receptionist, opening her mouth to ask for Ginny's room when Rita spoke up again.

"And who might the dashing young fellow next to Eden be? Perhaps a Muggle, as I'd recall a face like that in our world. He doesn't look too lost, but does he know about her tumultuous relationship with not only one Weasley, but three, and Harry Potter to boot!" She rambled on to her quill.

Eden sighed in frustration, squeezing Elijah's hand, who watched Rita curiously.

"Room 327," the blonde behind the counter informed Eden, then smiled sympathetically. "We've had security remove her twice. I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Eden shook her head, the positivity from that morning diminishing already. She hated the Daily Prophet and Rita Skeeter. She hated everything about the Wizarding World that was indirectly a cause to her loved ones' deaths. "Thanks, have a good day."

Eden tugged Elijah forward gently, but he stopped them, pulling Eden to Rita.

"Oh, are we getting a bit of information? It certainly seems that way. Tell my readers, Eden, how you broke the hearts of entire family, were the cause of sweet, innocent Fred's death and —"

"—Do not ever speak to Eden again," Elijah compelled her. "Don't even look at her again. Leave this hospital and do not return unless you are dire need of assistance."

Rita nodded numbly. "I will leave now." She packed up her quill and turned, leaving the door.

"Good riddance," the receptionist scoffed. "Good on you, mate."

Eden smiled tightly at the woman as she and Elijah walked down the halls. "You shouldn't have done that," she chastised lightly. "If anyone saw or —"

"—I don't fear these people, Eden," he glanced down at her. "And I do not compel others lightly. That is my brother's preference, and more my sister's. I...prefer to negotiate. But I've read what that woman's said about you, even before we'd met. She is lucky her heart is not on the floor."

Eden blushed at his words, smiling despite the violence in them.

"You're an awful influence," she replied, shaking her head.

Elijah hummed in response. "Perhaps, but I do so love it when you blush, konan mín."

"What's that one mean, anyway?" She asked as they approached the room.

Elijah opened his mouth to respond, but Molly Weasley poked her head out. Eden tensed and then let out a breath of relief when Molly pulled Eden into her arms.

"Oh, Eden," she gushed, swaying them back and forth. Eden smiled, wrapping her arms around Molly's middle. "How are you, dear?" She pulled back and cupped her face. "Oh, you're still not eating, I see. I'll swing by the house later and bring something to pep you up. Your hairs longer, who's this, then?"

Eden glanced behind her to Elijah. "Em, Mrs. Weasley, this is Elijah, he's my —"

"—Soulmate!" Molly finished with a squeal, pressing kisses to Eden's cheeks and then walking to Elijah, who smiled politely. "Oh, you are so handsome!" She grabbed Elijah's hands and held them in her own. "If you hurt her in any way, young man, I will bring the force of—"

"—Mrs. Weasley!" Eden cut her off with a flushed gaze. "It's fine. Honest. We just came for Harry and Gin. He's already had the spiel from both of them."

Mrs. Weasley frowned but pat Elijah's cheek. "Yes, alright, come on then," she gestured for the two to follow her.

Inside the room, which was magically enlarged to fit the entire Weasley clan, plus a few, Eden spotted Harry first.

"Hey, you," she beamed, tears coming to her eyes.

Harry's eyes caught hers and he teared up, closing the distance between them and pulling her into a tight hug. "Fucking had a baby, bon," he breathed in her ear. "Can you believe that?"

Eden let out a light laugh and squeezed him. "I love you so much," she gushed. "So proud of you."

He sniffled and pulled away, wiping her tears. "Ah, no crying, Gin's done enough of that."

"I've just had a baby, you prat!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Sorry, Gin," Harry grinned, waving hello to Elijah, who nodded back. "He's small, and not in here now, getting rest in the other room. Happens with prematures, they said. He was supposed to come out in two months, but it seems he's got the Weasley gene and couldn't wait."

"Impatience can be a virtue," Ginny countered, earning a few laughs.

"In who's world, love?" Harry asked, nodding for Eden to follow him.

Eden walked to Ginny and sat down, grabbing her hand. "Hey, pretty lady," she smiled at her.

"Hey, bitch, you missed my birth," Ginny countered.

"Sorry," Eden frowned. "I had to stop this crazy man from killing my niece."

Ginny let out a laugh, pulling Eden's hand to her lips. "Thanks for coming, love."

"Of course," Eden replied. "Nowhere else I'd rather be." She looked to everyone else for a minute. "This is a bit weird because everyone's in here, hi Percy," she smiled awkwardly to the Weasley she got on least with, "but that's Elijah, my soulmate. We just came to see Harry and Gin and baby."

"James," Harry added. "James Sirius."

Eden snorted. "That's a lie," she scoffed and then laughed. "James Sirius? He'd be flattered, but Merlin, that baby's going to be a handful. Of course he came prematurely, he's going to give us all premature grey hairs."

Laughs were heard around the room and a few people — Percy, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Bill — left the room to find food, and allow the rest of the group time to catch up.

"So you're Elijah," George grinned at Elijah from his place near the corner. "He's the vamp, right?" He asked Eden.

Eden nodded, closing her eyes to restrain herself. "Yes, and Elijah, this is George."

Elijah's face lit a fraction. "I've heard of you, George, the pleasure is mine."

"He's heard of everyone actually, I talk about you all a lot."

"Shit," Ron swore, running a hand through his hair. "I do not want to know what she's said about me."

"That you're an idiot and I will not ever bake you a cake for your birthday again."

"Oi, not my fault you added salt instead of sugar," Ron countered. "It was barbaric. I'm not eating that."

"You should've pretended to enjoy it like a normal human being." She tsked and shook her head. "Terrible friend."

"I know this is a bad time," Hermione spoke up, moving from her spot next to Draco. (Eden would have to get to the bottom of that, soon.) "But you're amazing," she gushed. Eden cringed a bit when Hermione stood in front of a mildly concerned Elijah. "I mean, Elijah Mikaelson. I've read some of your work. There're not many published copies, but your mind is fascinating. And you're an Original Vampire, there's so little study done on you and —"

"—Hermione," Ron spoke up, an amused smile on his face. "He just got here." Eden noticed Draco glance away, his lips pursed.

"Right," Hermione shrank a bit, offering her hand. "Sorry, I'm Hermione Granger, absolutely love that you're Eden's soulmate, you are way more attractive than she said you were—"

"—I don't know, she described him pretty well—"

"—No, she didn't add the commanding presence—"

"—She definitely got the dark and broody bit alright, though—"

"—Merlin's beard!" Eden exclaimed with wide eyes, looking to Hermione, Ginny, and Blaise who were just seeming to size up Elijah. "This is so weird, I'm so sorry," Eden apologized to Elijah. "You did not need to walk into this."

Elijah smiled kindly, taking it in stride. "You've spoken of me, Eden?"

"That's what you — oh, shut it," Eden glared at him, face flushed. His grin widened. "I hate you all. Harry, take us to the baby."

"Us?" Blaise spoke up. "No, let the pretty boy stay awhile. We'd all like to get to know him."

Eden looked to Harry for help, but he shrugged, and Eden stood, offering Elijah a sympathetic smile. "I love you," she pressed a hand to her chest. "In case you don't make it out of this."

"Oh," Elijah smiled down at her, eyes flooded with amusement. "Am I headed to war?"

Eden nodded, grinning. "Absolutely, good luck, mate."

He nodded, squeezing her hand once as she followed Harry out.

"You look amazing—" they both laughed when they said the sentence at the same time, Harry throwing an arm over her shoulders.

"I'm happy," Eden supplied when Harry fell quiet. "I'm leaving Mystic Falls with Elijah and Klaus—"

"—Rewind a bit on that, hang on, yeah, you and Elijah are okay now?"

"We weren't ever not okay, I just needed a few days," Eden replied. "And I'm not forgiving Klaus for killing Elena or forgetting it, but I can...see where he was coming from with it. And," she sighed. "There's this pull to him that I don't have with...anyone. I want to hate him, and logically, I think I do, but I feel...drawn to him, I think? He's important to me and I don't know how or why and I have to explore that and understand it and he's going to make more hybrids—"

"—More like him?" Harry asked. "Does the world need more of him?"

"Fair point," Eden laughed. "You haven't even met him yet."

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I quite like Elijah. I sort of just want to hex Klaus."

"Me too," Eden grinned, then her smile fell into awe as the approached the NICU. "Oh, my god, Harry," she breathed out as he led her to a slightly smaller than average baby with little black tuffs of hair. "Fucking hell, Harry, he's beautiful," she teared up.

Harry nodded, reaching his hand down and resting it on the incubator. "He'll only be here a few days. Magic is...wild," he shook his head with a small laugh. "But Draco says he's doing okay." Harry smiled fondly. "He wouldn't let anyone else handle him. I think he'll be a pediatric healer, despite what his original intentions were."

"You think?" Eden asked with raised eyebrows, still watching James. "Merlin, Harry, you're a father."

"I know," Harry responded faintly. "Remember a year ago when we were in Bill's cottage? We didn't think we'd make it another few weeks and now..."

"Now you're a dad," she smiled at him, tears running down her cheeks. "I'm so proud of you, bubs."

"I'm proud of you too." He reached his hand over and held hers, both over James' incubator. "You're so strong for the shit's been thrown to you. Getting through it, being here for this...I couldn't have done any of this without you, Eden."

Eden smiled, using her free hand to wipe away her tears. "I love you, Scarface."

"You too, idiot."

—

"I told you, they're mental," Eden sighed as she and Elijah settled back into her flat. "Sorry they cornered you and—"

Elijah cut her off with a kiss, pulling her face to his, searing his devotion into her lips. Startled, she took a moment and then kissed him back. His hand slid behind her neck into her hair, tugging her closer.

He tasted of peppermint and citrus, somehow fresh and sweet and entirely too put-together. She moved to pull back and ask him what brought this on, but he shook his head, pulling her closer still, left hand moving to her back, securing her to him.

A soft moan escaped her lips into his mouth, and he tasted it hungrily, hand curling into her hair. A warmth settled into her chest, blossoming further down as his mouth clashed with hers. He guided her mouth open with his tongue, entering and exploring her mouth further.

Eden let him do as he pleased, sinking against him, knees buckling as he guided her to the wall, pushing her gently against it. They were a clashing of tongues and teeth, of passion and infatuation, lost in the taste of one another.

His knee slid between her thighs and she gasped at the contact, feeling the slick pool between her thighs, the need for him burning her veins from the inside out. Her skin was on fire, burning from his kisses and touches, and her body ached with loss, needing more from him.

"I love you," he paused, moving his lips to her jaw and collarbone, placing open-mouthed kisses along her skin. "I fucking love you, Eden."

Another moan fell from her lips at the curse, knowing how hard it was for Elijah to use such debauched language.

His knee gently moved back and forth, causing friction, and in his own pleasure, he bucked forward a fraction.

She felt him, then, beneath his suit and her jeans; hard, and big against her thigh, and she bucked her own hips forward, wordlessly describing what she craved.

"Shh," he quieted her whimpers, teeth teasing her earlobe. "You'll have me when I tell you."

Another moan left her lips and he chuckled softly, tongue grazing her neck. "So good," he whispered, tasting her skin. "You taste so good, have I told you that?"

Eden shook her head, opening her mouth to form words but they fell short when he pressed another kiss on her jawline.

"What do you need from me, little witch?" He asked softly. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes and she bit her lip at the dark look in them.

"I—I..."

"That's it," he praised her, running his hand through her hair. "Use your words, sweet girl."

"You, need you," she whimpered. "Please, 'Lij, need you."

"Is that what you need?" He asked, searching her eyes for hesitation.

"Yes," she responded, moving her hands to his shoulders. "I'm ready for this, I want you."

Elijah smiled softly, kissing her tenderly, his forehead resting against hers. "I know," he breathed out, pressing a kiss to her nose. "Oh, little witch," he took a deep breath and kissed her again. "I will, I swear to you. But not against a wall in a rush," he tsked, pulling back and looking down at her. "Not today, konan mín," he finished, looking regretful as he pulled back.

She wanted to ask what that meant but the words slipped her mind when he pulled back, running a hand through his hair. He looked so messy, then. Suit jacket gone — when had he removed that? — and top button undone. His hair was mussed from her fingers and his lips slightly swollen.

Gods, he was beautiful.

Eden took a few breaths to calm herself and Elijah smiled, watching her. "I would help you...but I know that once your pretty mouth begs my name, I...fear I won't stop."

"No?" Eden asked, blushing heavily at his words and the implication behind them. "Maybe I don't want you to."

The smile that pulled at his lips was downright sinful.

"My little witch," he stalked towards her again, taking her face in his hands. Yes, please, she begged in her mind. Please keep going. "Ég ætla að ríða þér vitlaus," he promised in a low tone, resting his head against hers. "Þegar tíminn er réttur mun ég láta þig koma svo hart að þú munt gleyma þínu eigin nafni, ljúfu, fullkomnu litla drusla minni."

Eden had no idea what the words slipping from his mouth meant, but the tone in which he said them made her face burn and she looked away to keep herself from moaning.

"Pretty little witch," he pressed a kiss to her head. "Soon, my darling, be patient."

"I'm not a patient person," Eden responded immediately with a small whine.

Elijah hummed in amusement, trailing his thumbs over her cheeks. "Oh, but the best things come in time, my love."

—

Stefan was incredibly displeased with the new arrangements.

Eden, her extendable fanny pack, and shotgun music rights sat up front next to Klaus, while Elijah sat in the back next to Stefan. Every so often, she'd receive a text from Elijah that would send heat to her cheeks and widen her eyes.

Klaus' jaw tightened with each message, but he never said a word.

Stefan, on the other hand, seemed to wish either of the brothers would just kill him.

"Where are we going?" Stefan asked as 'Werewolves in London' played for the third time. "Eden, please skip this song."

"But it's so funny," Eden argued with a giggle. "Because Klaus is a werewolf and I'm from London."

"Nothing about this is funny," Stefan pressed his hand to his head, closing his eyes.

"Lighten up, Stefan," Klaus spoke up, glancing in the rearview. "We're off on an adventure. Me, my Valinn, my brother, and my best mate. What could go wrong?"

"Never say that" Eden chastised with a groan, skipping the song. "Now you've cursed the song for me. Every time Harry said that things would go terribly wrong, and if there was a song playing, it immediately went to the 'cd-that-shall-not-be-named.'" She sighed. "I loved that song."

"Oh, spare me — hang on," he paused, listening to the song, his mouth widening into a grin. "Is this 'Dance of the Hippogriff'?"

"Oh, prepare yourself, Stefan," Elijah mumbled. "This will be a long ride."

Eden grinned at him, eyes brightening that he knew the song by only the first few beats. "It sure as hell is, do you like it?"

"I'd be an idiot not to," Klaus scoffed, glancing at her. "Only helped name the Weird Sisters."

"You didn't!" Eden exclaimed with wide eyes. "Tell me you're lying."

"Cross my heart, love," Klaus smirked. "Turn it up."

Eden beamed, excited to play the music, and the pair ignored both Elijah's fond eye rolls and Stefan's grumbles of protest, singing loudly together.

Maybe Klaus wasn't so bad.

—

TRANSLATIONS:

- konan mín: my wife
- Ég ætla að ríða þér vitlaus: I'm going to fuck you crazy
- Þegar tíminn er réttur mun ég láta þig koma svo hart að þú munt gleyma þínu eigin nafni, ljúfu, fullkomnu litla drusla minni: When the time is right, I will make you come so hard that you will forget your own name, my sweet, perfect, little slut.

did i make this intentionally cheesy and adorable? yes i did stfu she needed happiness.
also not happy with this idk.
also i was going to do smut BUT it didn't feel right idk i just...she's not quite there yet. i think she thinks she is, but they both know she's really not. anyways! we saw baby james!! we'll see the weasley + co clan again soon for teddy's birthday and the anniversary of the battle of hogwarts. also, hope you guys enjoyed the fluff, there has been SO MUCH angst in this book, we are gonna get quite a bit of fluff here with sprinkles of angst. but don't think we've seen the end of dolohov;) lmk your thoughts annndddd see ya guys in the next one:)
OH!!! And I feel like a lot of stories neglect their roots, but I think being human is something the Mikaelsons all really miss (even without saying it directly!) and they'd want to covet that existence/weakness. In speaking so much Icelandic, I like to think of it as Elijah (and Klaus!!!) really opening up who they are. Soooo there will be lots of those.